Electrical apparatus



Sept. 14, 1943. c. E. MosLL-:Y

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2.

FIG.

Sept. 14, 1943. c. E. MosLEY 2,329,642

` ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SKS". ,/////////m FIG.

Sept. 14, 1943. c. E. MOSLEY 2,329,642

` ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1940 s sheets-sheet 5 Patented Sept. 14, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENTv vOFFICE ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Carl E. Mosley, Overland, Mo., assignor to W. N.

Matthews Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application July 17, 1940, Serial No. 345,944

(Cl. 20G- 115) 12 Claims.

ing lightning strokes on power lines, will underV most conditions effect grounding of surge current but extinguish the accompanying arc in time to prevent grounding of (iO-cycle follow-up power current; the provision of a device of the class described which will provide for the expansion of the gases engendered in connection with the values of surge currents to be dealt with, without exploding the apparatus; the provision of a device of the class described which will maintain its rated chara terist'ics for a substantial period and provide a signal when it becomes inoperative after such period; and the provision of combined fuse and surge gap apparatus which is compact in form, simple to operate and economical in cost. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplied in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope/of theapplication of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the invention, a small part being broken away;

Fig.4 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another form with end parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of an insulator carrying the Fig. 4 form of the invention along with a iuse cut-out;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the Fig. 4 device;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, but on a plane at right angles and showing a signal attachment; and,

Fig. '7 is a section taken on line 'I-l of Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown at numeral l an insulating tube composed, for example, of wrapped Bakelite to the upper end of which is attached (by means of an anchor pin 3) an enclosing. conducting head 5. This head includes a lug 1 which has an opening for the reception of an electrode 9 held by set screws II. The electrode 9 forms the point of entry into the present apparatus of the current which is to be sent to ground. In the present example this electrode is in spaced relation to an inlet electrode on a transformer bushing (not shown) which is in conducting relation to the transformer supply line parts, which are subjected to lightning strokes and the like. Thus the electrode 9 forms one side of a gap which brings current to-the present apparatus.

In order that the device may be made in one length for various applications, the electrode 9 is bent into an S.shape, as shown, for rotation as well as sliding in l; Hence the end I0 may be adjusted to various situations.

At the other end of the tube I is threaded a removable conducting head or cap I3 held in fixed position by means of a set screw I5; This head is in the form of an open ended cup (see opening I6), from which extend spacing pillars Il, the latter forming openings I8. The central pillar in Fig. 1 is shown broken away for more clearly showing parts behind it.

At their lower ends, the pillars join with an integral disc or floor part I9 from which extends a threaded portion 2l for receiving a holding nut 23 and lock washer 25. Thus the device may be supported upon an S-shaped grounding bracket, such as the one shown at 2l. The bracket is held between the disc I9 and nut 23 for conducting engagement and carried on a transformer case I2. The case I2 is grounded. Holding stud I4 permits rotary horizontal adjustment Where necessary, in addition to the rotary vertical adjustment and horizontal translation afforded by the S- shaped electrode 9 and its screws I I.

Adjustably threaded within the extension 2I is an electrode 29. A screw-driver slot 3| provides for adjustment and a lock nut 33 is adapted to preserve a given adjustment,

Riveted to the cap 5. as at 35, is a long electrode 31. This extends in spaced relation to a cylindric horn bre liner 39 within the tube I. The purpose of making the electrode 3l long, and also tube I, is to obtain ample dielectric strength between members 5 and I3.

Within the lower end of the liner 39 is a horn fibre plug 4I which includes a counterbore 43 at its top for receiving snugly the lower end of the electrode 3l. Through the plug 4I is a relatively small opening 45 which is of the order of .040

in diameter. This opening extends through the plug 4| from its counterbore 43 to its lower flat surface 41. The plug 4| plugs the cylinder I, 39.

The upper end of the lower electrode2'9 is hat with the exception of a semi-cylindric channel 49 which is formed across it for the purpose of `forming a communication between the small bore conducting members 9, 5, 31, gap 45, opening 49,

electrode 29, and then to the ground member 21 and case |2. The arc due to the surge current in the passage 45 is promptly snuied by the gas engendered by the gas-evolving horn nbre of the plug 4|. This gas deionizes the arc quickly, so that it does not constitute a good conductor for the 60cycle, follow-up power current at normal voltage. Other materials may also be used for the snuiing purpose. Thus the follow-up current does not continue the arc under normal conditions, and an ungrounded condition is quickly reestablished after the abnormal voltage conditions have passed. v

The purpose of the counterbore 43 is to increase the impedance between the lower end of the long l electrode 31 and the upper end of the short electrode 29 outside of the plug 4| to a value which is greater than the impedance through the opening 45. This forces the arc to be established within the opening 45 wherein it is quickly broken.

I have foundv that the larger the opening 45, the more power, follow-up current is liable to pass through the device after a surge current has started an arc.- On the other hand, the surge current protection is reduced with smaller holes. I have found that the .040" dimension for the diameter of a gap one inch long at 45 is a satisfactory value for most ordinary 60cycle power lines. I

Among the advantages of simplicity, the construction and easily mounted.

Should the hole 45 erode out, due to repeated discharges, the cap |3 may be unscrewed after loosening the set screw l and a new plug 4| inserted.

It will be understood that at the instant the arc forms in the passage 45, due to the surge current, gases are formed which are expansive. Expansion is accommodated to atmosphere through the semi-cylindric opening 41. This under most lightning stroke conditions prevents the plug 4i from exploding.

Some times, after the opening the invention is its being quite compact 45 has eroded yout after repeated satisfactory operation, upon the next discharge the arc is no longer extinguished. Thencthe 60cycle normal-voltage follow-up currrent will pass through the apparatus to ground and the circuit breaker on the line will then open. It is this opening that the present device ordinarily prevents. When the circuit breaker does open, it is desirable to know which one of a number of the present devices caused such a result. For this purpose, the signal device of Fig. 6 may be used which consists of a coil spring 5| attached by means of a screw 53 to the lower conducting head I3 and sprung into the position shown in solid lines. In this position its opposite straight end 55 is soldered to the lower electrode at 51. c That is at a point just below the opening 49. Any undesirable 60cycle follow-up current, in passing from the electrode 31 to the electrode 29, generates heat which melts the solder 51. The spring 5| then springs straight out to the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 6. This is a signal to an inspecting lineman that the particular unit requires a new plug 4|. It will be understood that the solder is melted only by the heat of the 60cycle follow-up current, and that the surge current accompanying the ordinary lightning stroke which is successfully snuffed out does not melt the solder 51. Hence, as is desired, under the latter circumstances no signal will be given by the spring 5|.

In Fig. 3 is shown another form of the invention in which like numerals designate like parts. In this construction, however, there is substituted for the lower conducting element I3 of Fig. 2 a dierent shape of conducting element 59 which has a oor 5| which, in view of the threading action of 59 on the tube l, engages the lower end of the plug 4| to force the plug into engagement with the lower end of the inner electrode 31. This floor 6| also forms an electrode. Below this oor are pillars |1 and openings |9. Below the pillars and openings is an enclosure 63 having a cylindric extension for reception of a braided iiexible conductor 61, the latter being soldered or otherwise fastened.

The upper conducting cap 5 of Fig. 2 is also changed, being provided with an extension 1| used for receiving the soldered end of an upper iiexible conductor 13. Y

The mounting of the Fig. 3 variation is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.- In these gures numeral 15 indicates an insulator carried upright on a more or less central bracket 11. At the upper end of the insulator is a conducting terminal member 19 having a connection 8| for a line wire (not shown). The terminal 19 has adjustably arranged thereon (as indicated at 82) one element 93 of a horn gap 85. The other element 81 of the gap is adjustably carried at 89 on a iixed conducting extension 9| clamped to the insulator at 93. The extension 9| is provided with a V-shaped entry 95 ending in a spherical socket portion 91. The latter engages a spherical contact ferrule 99, to which is attached the upper flexible conductor 13.' A large rigid ring |0| is formed at the upper end of the ferrule 99.

The lower flexible conductor 61 like wise fastens to a similar spherical shaped contact ferrule 99, but this carries a small ring |03. The lower ierrule 99 is for cooperation with a spherical socket |95 in the hooked end |91 of a rotary, biased arm |09. The hooked character of the arm |99 is shown in Fig. 7.

The arm |09 is pivoted at and is in conducting relation with respect to the bracket 11. A. spring H3 normally biases the arm downwardly. Thebracket 'l1 is grounded, by a wire connected at 1 The upper terminal 19 carries a second rigid arm ||5 having a guiding entry portion ||1 for the upper conducting ferrule 99 of a fuse link, the latter being indicated generally at ||9. A spherical socket is provided for the spherical ferrule 99, and above is carried another large ring IUI.

At the lower end of the fuse link is another spherical conducting ferrule 99 below which is another small ring |03. The ferrule 99 is also cradled in a hook |2`| which is on the end of a rotary arm |29 pivoted at |3| on a terminal |35 having a line wire connection |31. A spring |39 normally biases the lever |29 downward.

The fuse link ||9 comprises an insulating tube |2| which surrounds a fusible portion (not shown) between an upper flexible conductor |23 and a lower ilexible conductor 25. The details within the tube |2| form no part of the present invention, and if desired may be such as shown in Mosley et al. Patent 2,067,577, dated January 12, 1937.

The above-described mounting construction provides a simple method for mounting in tension both a fuse link and a lightning arrestor from a single insulator. The arrangement of the large ring at the top ofthe fuse and of the lightning arrestor assures that neither will be mounted upside down. This is because the ring |0| is made large enough to go over the ball end of a linemans stick. The rings |03 are not large enough to do this.

The lineman mounts the ring |0| of either device on his hook stick and raises it. He then dangles the lower iiexible conducting element (|25 or 61 as the case may be) and directs it in from the rear into its respective lower hook. He then pushes upward which rotates upwardly the normally downwardly-biased lever (|29 or |09 as the case may be). He then guides the upper ferrule 99 into position over the upper rigid arms H5 or 9|, as the case may be. After disengage ment of the stick, the downward bias of the arms |29 and |09 resultsin a tendency to seat the spherical ferrules 99 in their respective spherical seats and to hold the respective devices in place.

It is to be understood that when the fuse link |I9 blows, it permits separation of the conduc- 4 tors |23 and |25 and that the lower arm |29 any separating effect between the upper fiexible conducting element 13 and the lower one 61. The tension in the lower arm |09 in this case is only for maintaining a properly tensioned, mounted condition.

AIn view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. Surge gap apparatus comprising an elongate insulating tube, a iii-st conductor attached ex'teriorly to one end of the tube and enclosing the same, an electrode extending from said con- A ductor lengthwise of the interior of said tube, a

second conductor attached to the other end of the tube and having an opening communicating with the atmosphere, an electrode carried by said second conductor, and an insulating plug between said electrodes, said plug having a relatively small opening therethrough connecting said electrodes, said second-named electrode having an opening connecting said opening in the plug with atmosphere through the opening in the second conductor, said last-named electrode being adjustable against the plug to push said plug against said interior electrode.

2. Surge gap apparatus comprising spaced electrodes, insulating means between electrodes having an opening therethrough permitting passage of surge currents under conditions of surge voltage but normally resisting power currents under power voltage, signal means comprising a deflected and tensioned spring anchored at one end and having its opposite end attached to one of the electrodes adjacent said opening by material adapted to resist melting by the surge current but adapted to melt in response to power current flowing abnormally at power voltage so that the spring moves to a new position.

3, Surge gap apparatus comprising spaced electrodes, insulating means between electrodes having an opening therethrough permitting passage of surge currents under conditions of surge voltage but resisting power currents at power voltage, and signal means responsive to current ilow` ing abnormally at normal voltage, to provide a signal.

4. Surge gap apparatus comprising an insulator, a line terminal thereon carrying one side of an arc gap, a rigid arm carrying the other side of said arc gap and providing an attachment, a third arm pivoted thereon and biased away from the rigid arm, said biased arm hav ing a holding attachment thereon, an insulating tube, a surge gap in the tube, and conducting means on opposite sides of the gap and having connecting means for attachment respectively to said arms.

5. Surge gap apparatus comprising an insulator, a line terminal thereon carrying one side of a fixed arc gap, a rigid arm carrying the other side of said arc gap and providing an attachment, a third arm pivoted thereon and biased away from the rigid arm, said biased arm having a holding attachment thereon, a removable insulating tube, a surge gap in the removable tube, conducting means on opposite sides of the gap and having connecting means for removable attachment respectively to said arms, a second pivoted arm on the insulator biased away from said line terminal, a second rigid arm extending from said line terminal, and a removable fuse link adapted to be tensioned between said second -rigid arm and said second biased arm.

6. Electrical protective apparatus comprising a grounded support, an insulator carried on said support, line terminals on opposite ends of the insulator, one of which provides one side of an arc gap, a tensioned fuse link removably supported between said line terminals, means spaced from said line terminals and extending from said insulator and providing another side of said arc gap, means extending from the grounded supportand a tensioned gap member removably supported between said last-named extending means.

7. A lightning arrestor comprising an elongated hollow insulating tube, a first conductor closing one end of said tube, a second conductor attached to the other end of the tube and having lateral outlets, a first electrode extending from the first conductor into the tube, a plug lling the tube adjacentthe inner end of said first electrode, said plug having a small opening extending through the plug, and a second electrode adjustably fastened to said second conductor and being longitudinally movable to clamp said plug ing from the rst conductor into the tube and spaced from the Walls ofthe tube, an elongated plug lling the tube adjacent the inner end yof said rst electrode, said plug having a single Asmall but-long opening extending through it,

anda second electrode adjustably fastened to said secondconductor and adjustable in position to clamp saidy plug against the rst electrode,

and a lateral opening in saidsecond electrode communicatingbetween sadopening and said lateral openings. Y

9.l A` lightning arrester comprising an elongated hollow insulating tube, a relatively short conducting cap covering one end of said tube, a second short conductor attached to the other end of the tube and havinglateral outlets, a first 'electrode extending from`r the cap into the tube -`and spaced from the walls of the tube, a plug lling the tube adjacent the inner end of said rst electrode, said plughaving a, single small opening extending through it, and a second electrode adjustablyfastened to said second conductor and adjustable'in position to clamp said -plug against the first electrode, and a lateral opening in said second electrode communicating between said opening in the plug and said lateral --openingsl V10. Surge gapapparatus comprising an insulating cylinder, a conductor enclosing' the upper end of the cylinder, an open conductor at the lower end of the cylinder, exible conductors extending from said conductors for mounting electrodes extending from said conductors, a plug within the tube and engaged by said electrodes,

.other end, an electrode extending from said enclosing conductor within the tube, said open conductor having a threaded extension for attachment purposes, a second electrode threaded through said extension, 'a plug in said insulating tube and located between said electrodes and having a relatively small opening therethrough,

n said electrode in the open conductor being adjustable by its threads to clamp the plug between said electrodes.

l2. Surge gap apparatus comprising an insulator, a line terminal thereon carrying an extension providing one side of an arc gap, a rigid arm on the insulator which is spaced from the line terminal and carries the other side of said arc gap and providing an attachment, a third arm pivoted on the insulator biased away from the rigid arm, said biased armalso providing an attachment, an insulating tube having a surge gap therein, and conducting means on opposite sides of the tube for attachment between said rigid arm and said third arm.

CARL E. Mo'sLEY. 

